A fifth ‘don’t know they have liver damage’

MORE than a fifth of people unwittingly suffer from liver damage and nearly 80 per cent are at risk of harm.

Doctors are concerned that more young people are experiencing liver failure [GETTY]

The disturbing findings, prompting fears of a looming epidemic, were revealed in a public screening conducted by the British Liver Trust.

Using the breakthrough FibroScan technique, which measures the stiffness of the liver, the study found 21 per cent had a form of damage, with some cases at potentially deadly “advanced” stages.

Doctors are also concerned about the increasing numbers of people with liver failure in their 20s and 30s due to excess alcohol or obesity.

Britain’s leading liver specialist Professor Sir Ian Gilmore said: “Liver disease is a silent killer. These figures are a wake-up call for people to look after their liver.

“Liver disease is one of the few diseases which are becoming a more common cause of death in people under 65 while cancers and heart disease are decreasing.” Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding excess alcohol were key to improving the nation’s liver health.

Backing the charity’s Love Your Liver campaign, he added: “Early screening and detection is vital if we are to reduce the numbers affected by preventable liver disease.”

More than seven people had readings which indicated severe and deadly liver disease, 16 had signs of serious liver damage and 99 had evidence of some liver damage, according to the screening of 600 adults.

Early screening and detection is vital if we are to reduce the numbers affected by preventable liver disease

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, liver specialist

Matthew Maden, 28, had a liver transplant last year after falling into an alcohol-induced coma in 2007.

He now has to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life and he will always be at risk of illnesses including diabetes and kidney disease.

Mr Maden, from Bournemouth, said: “Drinking gave me more confidence. It helped me talk to women and make new friends.”

However, he said the pain of the operation was “so intense” and that it is only now that he can bear to look at the sight of his heavily scarred body in the mirror.

Retired police detective David Corfield, 63, of Salford, Greater Manchester, underwent a liver transplant in April 2004 after years of drinking.

The father-of-two had no obvious symptoms until he noticed the whites of his eyes had yellowed. After his skin discoloured, he went to his GP and said: “I think I’m drinking too much. I’ve turned yellow.” He was taken to hospital but had to wait two years for the transplant.